ALL CHANGE AT ARDS

It will be a very different looking Ards side that takes to the field next season after the club announced a raft of new signings over the past few days.

Boss Colin Nixon has wasted no time shaping his squad for the 2018/19 campaign, bringing in no fewer than seven players to replace a similar number who have left the club for varying reasons.

Amongst those arriving are Craig McClean who joins the club from champions Crusaders. The 32-year-old defender was part of three title winning sides under Stephen Baxter, and has previously been on the books of Dungannon Swifts and Ballymena United.

Accompanying McClean from Seaview is fellow defender Michael Kerr, 20, who comes in on a loan deal following similar spells with Ballinamallard United and Ballymena United.

The signings continued with the announcement of strike duo Sean Noble and Mark Kelly joining from the Mallards and Ballyclare Comrades respectively while 22-year-old Glentoran midfielder Kym Nelson also moves to North Down in following 89 appearances for the Oval outfit.

And making a return to the club are Eamon McAllister from Carrick Rangers for what will be his third stint and keeper Jason Mooney from Cliftonville who was last at the club as a youth player back in 2008.

Exiting the club are Ross Clarke, Reece Glendinning and Cameron Stewart after their loan deals from Linfield all came to an end.